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Amur Tiger
Panthera tigris altaica
The Amur tiger (formerly known as the Siberian tiger) is one of the largest cats in the world and one of the most endangered. Fewer than 500 remain in the wild in Far East Russia and on the the borders of China and possibly North Korea.
Range & Habitat
Tropical forests, tall grass jungles, and coniferous woodlands along the Amur River in eastern Russia. Amur tigers prefer forest areas or areas with dense cover, access to a water source and sufficient large prey.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Endangered due to humans poaching, hunting and contributing to their habitat loss through logging and deforestation.
Diet
In the Wild: Large prey such as deer or wild pigs; they will sometimes eat eggs, carrion and birds if large prey is scarce.
At the Zoo: Raw meat 6 days a week and a frozen rabbit once a week to keep their jaw and teeth healthy.
Life Span
In the Wild: 10-15 years; In Human Care: 16-20 years.
Fun Facts about the Amur Tiger
- A tiger’s closest relative is the lion. There are few differences between the anatomical structures of a lion and a tiger, and both species share a common ancestor.
- All tigers have different stripe patterns on their coats. As with human fingerprints, no two tigers have the same stripe pattern. Researchers use these distinctions to identify tigers in the wild.
- Amur tigers were once called Siberian tigers as their range extended throughout Siberia. Today the wild population’s range has shrunk to the area around Russia’s Amur River Basin.
Sources
Saint Louis Zoo. (2003). Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://www.stlzoo.org/animals/abouttheanimals/mammals/carnivores/amurtiger
Tiger. (2019, September 20). Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/tiger
Tiger: Panthera. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://www.panthera.org/cat/tiger?gclid=Cj0KCQjwzN71BRCOARIsAF8pjfg4IaKIZMGGsb1bkWKQPrh62OUobW-3e4VNZcqAeSZhQtu4Bca11-QaAh-IEALw_wcB
Updated June 13, 2023
Location:
Wildlife Trail
